Roleplay Multiclass: Paladin

This is part of the Multiclass Series. For more base classes, click their title to visit their post.

In Dungeons & Dragons , you can play anything from a Half-Orc Sorcerer to a Halfling Rogue. However, for some people, that isn’t enough. That’s when we get into “Multiclassing”. Basically you decide that you want to be trained in two different classes, and become something new altogether.

Here are ideas for every multiclass. Sometimes you get the same character type regardless of which one you start with, but sometimes that can change the style from a narrative standpoint.

Credit where credit is due: PeteNutButter posted an excellent “Ultimate Optimizers Multiclassing Guide” on the Giant In The Playground forums. His guide did a lot of groundwork for this piece, as well as rank the new class-combos on a 6 point scale for how well the new class might workout in gameplay.

We won’t be going into Multiclassing rules, because you can find that yourself, but if something doesn’t make sense, ask your DM if you can just Homebrew it a little.

I also want to mention, that these are not all necessarily compatible in terms of abilities and power, these are more the narrative background to different multiclasses. Roleplay, not Roll Play.

You have spent years turning your body into a weapon, so that you may serve your god on this plane. As such, your lord has granted you limited magical powers, to aid you in your quest in their name. Now your lord asks something new of you. Perhaps it is to specialize your martial talents, perhaps it is to expand your magical ones. Perhaps there is something you need to do for yourself, because how can you help them, if you aren’t taken care of first? Let’s see where this new path takes you…

Paladin Into…

You have worked hard to hold back the forces of evil! However, it seems like slapping water, no matter how hard you hit, it always returns for more. Maybe now, is time to fight fire with fire. You must begin to allow yourself to feed from the darkness as they do, in the hopes that you can find the answers to their demise!

Barbarian – Path of the Berserker

You know that your god is with you on the battlefield. You have felt their presence, and their help as you cry out their name. Don’t let your compatriots stand next to you and doubt your heart! Sing out your praises in ways that allow everyone beside you feel the power of your deity, so that you may all succeed!

Bard – College of Valor

You have studied, fought, and killed under divine light, but you know that that’s not enough. You cannot only cut the evil, but also nurture the pure. You dive deeper into your studies, so that you may show the light you feel, into others lives.

Cleric – War Domain

Your god has asked you to turn your zeal towards defending the helplessness of the wilds. You dive into nature, giving everything that you have, into your gods new mission for you. Don’t let divine light be blocked by the trees, but let them grow from it.

Druid – Circle of the Moon

You have lost faith. Has your god betrayed you? Have they died? For whatever reason, you don’t have that banner to fly anymore. You must learn how to continue doing your work, without a reason. Do you become a sellsword? Do you try to uphold the values you had before, showing you don’t need divine light, because you can provide it yourself? Where do you find your purpose?

Fighter – Defense & Battle Master

Paladin – Oath of Devotion / Vengence

You have dedicated your life to fighting and defending the will of your god, being selfless for others, a tool in the hands of greatness. But when you lay your head down at night, you start to think “Who am I to myself?” So now you are on a new journey, to rediscover who you are, so that you know how you can help others better. Sometimes you have to stop chopping wood so you can sharpen the axe.

Monk – Way of the Open Hand

Much like the Green Knight, it is time for you to defend the wild, however, you realize that the skills you used before won’t always work in this new setting. You must retrain yourself if you want to succeed here.

Ranger – Defense

There are those who don’t follow your god. They may try to hide themselves from you, but you learn how to hide in plain sight, find them and their lies, and reveal the truth to all of who they are. Have they been deceiving the public? Are they committing fraud at the expense of those less fortunate? You will find out, and you will expose them.

Rogue – Assassin

You have served your lord well! You have done everything they have asked of you, and so they grant you greater powers, so that you can continue your work in their name. This is an honor they have bestowed upon you, and you will not let them down.

Sorcerer – Draconic Bloodline

You know you are worthy. You know what you can do, but the powers that you have faith in don’t seem to have faith in you! You will show them. They will see what you can accomplish when you are given power. So you go into the shadows, and you are granted what you wish, to prove to them that you can be trusted! Let’s just hope your new patron doesn’t make you abuse that trust anymore than you already have.